Something is broken in the steering on my 99 Grand Cherokee. The rig is all stock, 4.7, automatic 4x4. The Jeep drove and steered fine until one evening my brother backed it out of the driveway. He turned it all the way to the left (not excessively) and heard and felt a pop in the steering. Nothing leaked out, no smoke, etc. But now when you go to turn the Jeep when it's running the steering is very stiff. In order to steer it at all you have to be moving forward or backward a bit and you can steer a little bit. I've driven a Camaro with a failing power steering pump and you had to rev the car to get the wheel to turn freely like it's supposed to but this feels different. Any idea what broke?

 

Bump

 

First, check your power steering fluid level, listen while the engine is running for grinding and whining noises. Either the pump is not pitting out pressure or the valving in the steering box is shot

 

My guess is the servo inside the steering box is not functioning.

 

I will give those a try today and report my findings.

 

If that's the case I'm betting that's an expensive fix. It's surprising that anything broke at all because the jeep has 80,000 original miles.

 

A reman Mopar box is about $500, but many people install a 99 Dodge Durango (without plow) steering box from the junk yard for much less. The Dodge box is slightly larger and beefier. Best case scenario, do this and get your original one repaired. IF that's the problem.

 

I checked the power steering fluid and it was full and not excessively dirty and did not smell foul. I started the Jeep and listened and it sounded like there was a consistent chirping sound coming from the power steering pump. I could turn the steering wheel about 10 in in either direction before I was met with resistance and clunking that I could feel in the steering wheel. With the hood open I listened while someone else turned the steering wheel and I believe I heard clunking coming from the steering box. None of this changed as I revved the motor.

 

If I have to replace the steering box I think I'm going to skip changing it to a Durango box. My local auto parts store has a remanufactured steering box for about $170.

 

Somebody school me here. I know you can bolt a Durango box into an XJ. It is just an old school Saginaw box. But the WJ box is a different design, bolting around the shaft. Is there a Durango box with that design too?